title: [Acute endocarditis of the native aortic valve caused by Propionibacterium acnes].
abstract: Propionibacterium acnes is often considered to be a contaminant but it has also been found to be the principal pathogen in serious infections. P. acnes is a rare cause of infective endocarditis. It has been suggested that aortic root abscesses are caused by bacteria that are particularly virulent. The strongest risk factor for serious infections by this bacteria is the presence of foreign bodies. A case is presented in which endocarditis of a native aortic valve caused by P. acnes was associated with an aortic root abscess. Transesophageal echocardiography is particularly helpful in the diagnosis of this severe complication of infective endocarditis. The literature for P. acnes endocarditis is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caballero Güeto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calle
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Caballero Güeto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García del Río
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sancho
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piñero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes
vernacular_title: Endocarditis aguda sobre válvula aórtica nativa por Propionibacterium acnes.